A time-of-flight sensor system 10 comprising: an illumination source 11 for illuminating a subject 19 to which a time-of-flight is to be measured; an optical system configured to, using an at least one actuator, transition the illumination source 11 between providing spot illumination and flood illumination; and a sensor 12 comprising a sensor surface. The sensor surface is configured to sense light scattered by the subject 19 from the illumination source 12 and to provide data dependent on sensed light. The spot illumination has a spatially non-uniform intensity over the sensor surface, and the optical system is configured to move the spot illumination across at least part of the sensor surface to generate an output frame, wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) component.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

A lens driving device includes a fixing bracket; first and second support frames; a rotation assembly including first and second rolling balls so that the fixing bracket and the first support frame are spaced apart from each other and form a rotational connection about a first direction, and the first and second support frames are spaced apart from each other and form a rotational connection about a second direction; a driving assembly for driving the fixing bracket to rotate relative to the first and second support frames about the first direction and for driving the first support frame to rotate relative to the second support frame about the second direction; a flexible circuit board; and first and second elastic support components. The lens driving device reduces the height of the overall structure, and effectively reduces the height of the lens driving device.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided, including a body, a first driving assembly, a second driving assembly, and an optical element. The body includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and a connecting element. The movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion. The connecting element connects the fixed portion to the movable portion. The first driving assembly that is disposed on a first side drives the movable portion to perform a first motion. The second driving assembly that is disposed on the first side drives the movable portion to perform a second motion. The optical element is connected to the movable portion, including an incident surface and an emissive surface, wherein the incident surface is orthogonal to the emissive surface. The first side is not parallel to the incident surface or the emissive surface.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a first holder, a fixed portion, a first driving assembly, and a first stopping assembly. The first holder is used for connecting to an optical element. The first holder is movable relative to the fixed portion. The first driving assembly is used for driving the first holder to move relative to the fixed portion. The first stopping assembly is used for restricting the movable range of the first holder relative to the fixed portion.

An optical element driving mechanism is provided, including a movable part, a fixed part, a driving assembly, and a first supporting assembly. The movable part is used for connecting an optical element. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part. The driving assembly is used for driving the movable part to move relative to the fixed part. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part through the support of the first supporting assembly. There is a gap between the movable part and the fixed part.

A driving mechanism is provided, including a fixed part, a movable part connected to the fixed part, a first connecting member, and a first wire. The first connecting member is hinged to the fixed part and connected to the movable part. The first wire has SMA material and is connected between the fixed part and the first connecting member. When the first wire contracts in length, the first connecting member rotates relative to the fixed part, and the movable part is driven to move relative to the fixed part.

A method of manufacturing a camera module that includes a housing having an inner space, a frame disposed in the inner space of the housing and configured to accommodate a lens barrel therein, and optical image stabilization driving wires including driving wires driving the frame in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis. The method includes fixing both end portions of a target driving wire, among the driving wires, to a first inner side surface of the housing, disposing the frame adjacent a second inner side surface of the housing that opposes the first inner side surface, and coupling a center part of the target driving wire to a mounting member of the frame that faces the first inner side surface of the housing.

The object is to provide an actuator that consumes less power. An actuator comprises: a stator that rotatably supports a plurality of stator rollers; a mover that rotatably supports a mover roller disposed between the stator rollers; and a wire made of a shape memory alloy that is disposed between the stator rollers and the mover roller and has both ends connected to respective two stator terminals provided in the stator.